Customer Rating

The title is something of a
charming misnomer: only a few minutes of Igor Stravinsky’s
all-encompassing output were originally scored for violin and
piano. However, once he had made the acquaintance of the violinist
Samuel Dushkin, his interest in this most Classical of chamber
genres was piqued, and the two men worked closely to transform some
of his most popular, melodic and balletic music into suites and
miniatures that are no mere transcriptions but stand, witty and
proud, in their own right.

Dushkin was suggested to
Stravinsky as a possible performer for the premiere of his Violin
Concerto. Stravinsky acceded, and found Dushkin to have ‘a
musical culture, a delicate understanding, and – in the
exercise of his profession – an abnegation that is very
rare’ – qualities also to be appreciated in the deft
approach of the Dutch violinist Isabelle van Keulen, complemented
by the famously quirky originality of her partner here, the Finnish
pianist Olli Mustonen.

‘Van Keulen and
Mustonen are right on top of the Duo concertant’s frequently
extravagant technical demands, and as in all the music here
recorded they convey an infectious sense of
enjoyment.’